Israel's Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz, a close associate of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday suggested to "liquidate" Hamas' role on the Gaza Strip. Speaking to the Israeli public radio, he said: "Sooner or later, we will liquidate the Hamas regime and its pro-Iranian militia, which controls the Gaza Strip. "

"We do not set a timetable, but we will not be able to overlook the continuation of this regime, which is strengthening its militariy abilities with an arsenal of missiles which threaten our lands."

His comments came as Israeli security sources voiced their concern over the possibility that Hamas is ready to change the "rules of the game" that now prevails on the Gaza Strip. The Haaretz newspaper reported: "The source of this concern caused by the death of two Israeli soldiers on Friday in clashes with Palestinian militants which took place on the border between Gaza and Israel."

"The Israeli army fears the possibility of Hamas to change the situation along the border with the Gaza Strip, particularly in targeting the army patrols."